What is the Best Milk Substitute that Tastes Like Actual Milk? - Delish Knowledge (2024)

People switch to plant-based milk options for many reasons. While the demand for non-dairy products is growing, many still crave the signature taste of cow’s milk. Are you curious about the non-dairy alternatives that taste like traditional dairy milk? Discover the choices and must-try brands.

Why Are People Switching to Plant-Based Milk?

Over the past several years, non-dairy alternatives have grown in popularity for good reason. They provide options for people with lactose intolerance and allergies and offer nutritional benefits — all with a lower carbon footprint. Here’s why many people choose it over dairy choices.

Fewer Calories

Like dairy milk, a non-dairy alternative contains sodium and potassium. Compared to a cup of whole-fat cow’s milk, most plant-based options have 37%-75% less fat, making them healthier alternatives.

Environmentally Friendly

Cows are among the biggest agricultural contributors to climate change — producing a liter of cow’s milk requires 628 liters of water. While it’s true that millions of people like dairy milk, the effects of its production aren’t beneficial for the planet. Fortunately, plant-based alternatives allow you to enjoy the benefits of milk minus the guilt.

Animal Welfare

Concern for animals is one of the main reasons why people switch to non-dairy options. Many believe that animals, including cows, have the right to life without forced production.

Non-Dairy Milks Ranked by Taste Similarity to Cow’s Milk

While no vegan option tastes precisely like cow’s milk due to differences in ingredients, some alternatives come close in terms of texture and flavor. These options are the best milk substitute beverages.

• Soy milk: This option is the most consumed plant-based alternative globally, dominating more than 50% of 2018 market share. The demand for soy milk comes from its creamy texture and slightly nutty flavor, making it an excellent cooking and baking ingredient. It’s the closest drink that resembles cow’s milk, per a taste test and online public sentiment.
• Almond milk: Smooth and nutty, this beverage is popular for people looking to decrease their saturated fat intake. The slight sweetness sets it apart from regular cow’s milk but makes it a sought-after addition to cereals and milk.
• Oat milk: The strong oat flavor of this beverage makes it more polarizing. For many, it tastes the closest to actual dairy. For some, the sweet flavor can be too overpowering. Here’s how to make your own oat milk.
• Cashew milk: This cashew-derived drink has a creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor, like cow’s milk. The unsweetened option has a rounder mouthfeel, often found in dairy products.

Ultimately, the best non-dairy option will depend on your preferences! Pea, rice, hazelnut and coconut milk options are also worth trying.

Best Milk Substitute: 3 Plant-Based Milk Brands to Try Out

These plant-based options are often praised for resembling cow’s milk in taste. Whether you’re lactose intolerant or looking to support animal welfare, these brands will remind you of actual milk.

Silk’s Next Milk

This vegan alternative is made from a blend of coconut milk, oat milk, soy protein and six nutrients found in cow’s milk, including vitamin D, calcium, riboflavin, phosphorus and vitamins A and B12. The mouthfeel and creaminess imitate actual milk, making it ideal for dairy enthusiasts.

NotMilk

NotMilk’s NotCo is slightly transparent, like skim milk. While it doesn’t look like actual milk, flavor-wise, it can pass as a dairy beverage as a best milk substitute. It’s also free from gluten, soy and genetically modified organisms. However, the fat content in this product is similar to the original stuff from cows. It also contains sunflower oil, so it has mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

Wondermilk

Out of the listed options, the So Delicious Dairy Free Wondermilk tops as the best brand that closely resembles actual milk in terms of consistency, creaminess and slightly sweet mild flavor. It contains coconut and oat milk, with hints of oat taste and full texture. This plant-based version has calcium and vitamin D, providing the same nutrients as cow’s milk.

4 Easy Tips to Make Milk Alternatives Taste Like Cow Milk

Those who love skim milk often find that plant-based milk alternatives taste great, but the texture is too thick and throws off the experience. To make non-dairy milks taste like the best milk substitute, try these tips instead.

These tips can help make your plant-based beverage taste like natural dairy milk.

1. Add Water

If you love skim milk but dislike the texture, add some water to make the consistency thinner and better resemble cow’s milk.

2. How to Make Almond Milk at Home

Sometimes, it’s enjoyable to create your non-dairy beverage in your kitchen. It allows you to play around with flavors and thickness, ensuring it satisfies your preferences. Here’s an easy recipe for creating your almond milk at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 5 cups filtered water
• Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Omit if you want plain-tasting milk.
• Optional: 1 tbsp cocoa powder for chocolate milk
• Optional: 1/2 cup berries for berry milk
• Optional: 2 whole dates or other sweeteners. Omit if you prefer unsweetened.

Directions:

1. Soak almonds in cold water for 24 hours.
2. Add soaked almonds, salt, water and additional optional ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, around one to two minutes.
3. Strain contents using a thin dish towel or nut milk bag. Squeeze into a mixing bowl to extract all of the liquid.
4. Transfer almond milk to a covered bottle or jar and refrigerate for three to five days.

3. How to Make Your Own Soy Milk

You can also create your favorite soy-derived beverage at home with these easy ingredients and steps.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups water for soaking
• 1/2 cup soybeans
• 4 cups water for blending
• Optional: Sugar

Directions:

1. Soak the soybeans in 2-3 cups of water overnight.
2. Rub the beans under the water to remove the skin. Discard water once done.
3. Put soybeans and 4 cups of water in the blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Pour the mixture into a nut milk bag or cheesecloth.
5. Heat the strained milk in a pan over 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
6. Cool the milk and store it in a covered container. Refrigerate for up to four days.

Try Plant-Based Creamers Instead

Creamy coffee is beloved by many. If you enjoy this type of cup of joe but want to cut back on dairy, you might want to opt for a plant-based creamer as the best milk substitute option. These products are often derived from coconut, almond, pea, oat, or macadamia. Try Califia Farms’ Unsweetened Almond Milk Creamer, which balances texture and taste.

If you like a slightly silk foam on your coffee, opt for the decadently rich Sown Organic Unsweetened Oat Creamer.

Those who love skim milk often find that plant-based milk alternatives taste great, but the texture is too thick and throws off the experience. Instead, addsome water to your almond, oat, or cashew milk to make it thinner and reminiscent of cow milk.

If you’re switching to plant-based but craving the creamy taste of cow’s milk, try all these alternatives and see which option will excite your taste buds the most.

What’s your best milk substitute?

Beth Rush is the food editor atBody+Mind. She writes about veganism, plant-based diets, and all the delicious ways to sample global cuisines sustainably. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag. Subscribe to Body+Mind for more posts by Beth.